​What kind of giant are you facing in your life? What do you call him?

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV - 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

We all will face giants at one time or another in our lives. By giants, I am speaking of what seem to be insurmountable problems and issues. We try to fell these giants, but often they seem to only grow stronger with the passing of time.

Some of our Familiar Giants

Fear - (Isaiah 9:6)–You see, the devil wants to fill us with fear. He knows that he has no real power over us, so he uses our own feelings against us. Fear can be a pretty big giant. The more we focus on him the bigger he gets. I encourage you to let the Prince of Peace fight your giant fear today.

Heartache(Romans 8:26) – Let this verse encourage your heart. We are assured that even when we do not know what to say, when we do not even have the words to utter our feelings, the Holy Spirit will go before us and intercede for us. If you are facing the giant heartache, please let the Comforter fight the battle for you. Let the Holy Spirit comfort your heart.

Illness(James 5:14) (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)– Many times in the Bible we are told about Jesus healing people. Many times we refer to Jesus as The Great Physician. All throughout the New Testament we find stories of Jesus healing the lame, the blind, even raising people from the dead. We are not always promised healing. We can rest assured; however, that God’s grace will be sufficient if we will only trust in Him, The Great Physician. If you are facing illnesses in your life, find comfort. Whether you are healed as so many were in the Bible, or whether you must endure your thorn in the flesh as did Paul, you can find comfort in knowing that Jesus has a plan for your life. We must simply trust that the God of the universe knows what is best for us.

Envy(Prov. 14:30)– A feeling of discontent and resentment aroused by another's desirable possessions or qualities, accompanied by a strong desire to have them for oneself. Acknowledging your envy means looking at yourself honestly. Galatians 5:19-21 tells us that envy is a product of our sinful human nature. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you whether your ulterior motives are for selfish gain or to achieve status in other people's eyes. Name envy for what it is. Blow away the cover-up.

Pride(Rom. 12:14-21)– Love your enemies. A discontentment and resentment aroused by another's desirable possessions or qualities, accompanied by a strong desire to have Pride is a device that can be so easily woven into anyone’s life. It is an abomination to God and it must be kept in check. We all fall prey to it and we need to repent when we do fall. God bless you as you live out a life worthy of the calling.

Lust(Jam. 1:13-15)– To overcome lust you absolutely must look at it as a wicked sin like any other you detest. Ask God to help you overcome this sin.

Failure(1Pet. 5:5)– The reason is, He knows that you’re still too strong in yourself. But when you come to the end of yourself and recognize that you cannot do anything to save yourself, if you will call out to Jesus Christ, He will save you. He is the Good Shepherd, who laid down His life for His sheep. Confess your sin and failure to Him. Cry out to Him to save you from your sins. You will experience His abundant grace.

So how do we deal with giants?

What a victory it was as David boldly defeated the giant Goliath, armed only with a slingshot and five smooth stones. The will of the Philistines was broken. The Israelites were reinvigorated. And it was all because a little shepherd boy answered the call of God and cut down the giant.5 keys to defeating the giants in your life1. Show up for the battle ready to fight.
Sometimes you don’t get to pick the place or the time. . .but you must always be ready for the fight.

*You must take the fight to the enemy.1 Samuel 17:34-35 says:“And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.”

2. Don’t run from the battle.
Did it surprise you earlier in this teaching when I showed you in scripture that David like all the soldiers in the Army of Israel ran from Goliath and a possible battle to the death?

*You always know who’s with you in your foxhole and in every adversity you’ll ever face.Psalm 118:6:“God's now at my side and I'm not afraid; who would dare lay a hand on me?”

3. Don’t be afraid
If you’re facing . . . difficult, if not, seemingly impossible financial or other attacks of the enemy . . . you can take comfort in know that God is in your foxhole . . . He’s with you no matter where or what kind of battle you’re facing. With God by your side . . . there is no reason to fear or ever doubt the outcome of the battle.

*You always know who’s with you in your foxhole and in every adversity you’ll ever face.Hebrews 13:6:“So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

4. Don’t worry about what other people may think.
No one else can fight your battles . . . no one else take your place on Judgment Day . . . you and you alone are accountable for what you do or don’t do. Other people may face a shortage of money, opportunities, courage and/or wisdom but there’s one area where they never experience a shortage . . . that’s in opinions of what you should and/or shouldn’t do.

*It’s not important others think . . . but what God thinks about what you’re doing.Colossians 3:23:“Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men.”

5. Choose the right weapon
There are three things you should know when it comes to choosing your weapons. First, get rid of anything that doesn’t work for you. Second, find something that will work for you. Play to your strengths. Third, you have weapons that can defeat every enemy.

*You’ll defeat every giant you face … because God is in your (our) side2 Corinthians 10:4:“For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds.”
​